Year 10 

Introduction

The curriculum at Bendigo South East College follows the Victorian Curriculum F – 10. This curriculum, developed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), “is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for life-long learning, social development and active and informed citizenship.” The Victorian Curriculum F – 10 also incorporates the Australian curriculum, whilst reflecting the key priority areas and standards for Victorian students. 

Bendigo South East College also offers a small range of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Educational Training (VET) based subjects for Year 10 students. Teachers follow the subject specific study design published by the VCAA to construct learning centred upon the set knowledge and skills described. VET subjects knowledge and skills is derived from following the relevant industry-based training package regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

As students move into Years 7 and 8, Bendigo South East College curriculum and subject offerings have a focus on students experiencing a broad range of subject areas and building key knowledge and skills across these offerings. Within Year 9 and 10 students are provided with increasing opportunities to exercise choice. We encourage students to consider their Year 10 program as a strong grounding for their last two years of senior secondary education.

Subject Availability

While subjects are offered within this Course Selection Guide, once students undertake their subject selections, BSE will make decisions about running subjects based on the demand and resources for each subject. Subjects selected by a small number of students may be withdrawn. When a subject is withdrawn, students will be notified and their back-up subject choices will be used and/or further course counselling will be undertaken.

Learning and Student Attendance

Bendigo South East College expects students to maintain a strong attendance record. There is significant research that indicates students who miss 5-10% of days in any given year will have significantly lower levels of performance in Literacy and Numeracy. In future years the gaps in knowledge and skills are rarely made up. Strong attendance provides continuity in student’s learning.

Bendigo South East College will work with parents to provide support for a continuation of essential student learning if a student has some short-term absence (up to approximately 2-3 weeks) as a result of illness or injury. For absences that extend beyond this period, student needs are considered on a case-by-case basis, but parents need to be aware that the school is not equipped, nor able to support an “at-home” learning program for students for any great length of time. The school does not provide an individual learning program as part of the student’s absence due to a holiday during the term.

Students’ Attendance in VCE and VET Subjects

At times, students or their families seek to take holidays during the school term. When a student begins to select VCE or VET subjects there are clear attendance expectations that are required by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority. The school is not able to make allowances for students seeking to miss school for a family holiday or attendance at a single day non-school-based activity. Students who elect to participate in a holiday while undertaking VCE or VET studies, place themselves at considerable risk of failing VCE subjects they are undertaking. A student missing a day to attend an event such as a concert in Melbourne cannot request that school-assessed coursework (SAC) be rescheduled. If this situation occurred the student would not be scored for this SAC and may risk failing the subject. As per our VCE policy, students must attend at least 90% of classes in total across the year. For more information about VCE subjects please read our VCE policy.

Subject Fees

The final list of fees/charges will be included in the 2024 book lists which are distributed later in the year.

Head Start Program

The Victorian Government has the HEADSTART Apprenticeships and Traineeships program available to all Government Secondary Schools across the State.
Since the program began in 2019 HEADSTART staff have supported over 1900 students statewide.  

HEADSTART is a pathway allowing students to undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship whilst also progressing towards the completion of their Year 12 qualification.

BENEFITS OF THE HEADSTART MODEL

• Suitable students are matched with a suitable employer who will mentor students throughout their apprenticeship or traineeship

• We aim for all students to undertake a work trial with the employer to ensure this is a good fit before commencement of an apprenticeship or traineeship

• Students receive ongoing one-on-one support from the HEADSTART Coordinator both at school and in the workplace

• We focus on priority industries that may lead to genuine long-term employment opportunities

• A flexible school timetable that will allow students time on the job and time to continue with their school studies

• HEADSTART staff work with schools to ensure the student is being supported to achieve their goals

• A student’s time within the workplace and training can increase each year in order to support significant progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship

If you would like to know more about the HEADSTART Apprenticeships and Traineeships program, or if you are an employer wanting to know more information about offering an opportunity to a student please contact your school’s HEADSTART Coordinator below or speak with the careers team.

Ross Egleton| Head Start Coordinator

M: 0407 490 687  E: ross.egleton@education.vic.gov.au

Selecting Your Year 10 Program
A Year 10 program at Bendigo South East College seeks to provide subject options that continue to build essential learning skills across a broad range of subject areas. This Course Selection Booklet provides updated information to assist students to make subject choices for 2020; and as such is a live document, which may be subject to change.

Subject Selection

Students are expected to draw upon a variety of resources and people who can assist them to select their subjects and learning  programs. To fully understand the subject content and expectations, it is essential that students and parents carefully read the description of any subject in which a student has an interest.   Fees indicated for subjects are correct. These fees have been ratified by the BSE School Council and will be confirmed in the 2024 booklists.

Undertaking a VCE Subject in Year 10

Bendigo South East College provides Year 10 students the opportunity to accelerate into a single VCE within their Year 10 program. The advantages of a student accelerating can include:

• Gaining an early understanding of the level of rigour needed to successfully undertake VCE subjects;

• Setting up a pathway to completing six Unit 3/4 subjects as part of a VCE, which can enhance a student’s ATAR score at the end of Year 12;

• Enabling a student to study an additional subject of interest that may not fit into a future Year 11 and/or Year 12 program.

A student considering undertaking an accelerated program should:

• Have consistently high levels of attendance (maintain 90% or above) and academic achievement;

• Display effective time management and study skills;

• Have confidence that they can cope with the additional demands involved in undertaking a VCE subject without the creation of undue stress;

• Be able to explain how an accelerated program will assist them to improve their learning outcomes; 

• Have undertaken discussions with their current classroom teachers, parents and other relevant staff as to the suitability of acceleration within their program;

• Demonstrate a commitment to all subjects within their Year 10 program. This will ensure a consistent foundation for future learning.

Undertaking a VCE subject is not grounds for the student to request a reduction in subject load.

Students that wish to apply to undertake an Accelerated VCE Units 1&2 subject in year 10 must complete the expression of interest and application form found on our college website. 

Undertaking a VET subject in Year 10

Studies in VET subjects at Bendigo South East College provide a strong insight and lead into students considering VET subjects within Year 11 and 12. A student may select VET subjects as part of their  Year 10 program. 

Year 10 Subject Offerings Summary:

In Year 10 students undertake the following program made up of compulsory and elective subject options. Students will study seven subjects in total each semester. 

Students must complete English, Maths, Physical Education, Humanities and Science. The options of how to do this are below. Please click the links for more information.

Students may then undertake four single semester electives of their own choice drawn from the Arts, Technology, Languages and Multidisciplinary learning areas. The following rules apply:

1. Students studying ACA must be aware this is a full year subject.  

2. Students studying Music must be aware this is a full year subject.  

3. Students studying a Language must be aware this is a full year subject.  

4. Students wishing to select a VCE subject must be aware this is a full year subject and are required to complete an application to study a VCE subject (on BSE website).

5. All VCE subjects are electives and are studied in addition to their Core Subject. For example, students electing to study VCE Biology must also study the Core Science curriculum. If you have chosen a VCE Science Subject, you can’t choose the related Introduction Science Elective.

6. Students wishing to select VET Building and Construction must be aware this is a full year subject. 

7. Students wishing to select VET Building and Construction are encouraged to undertake additional studies to fulfil the requirements of these courses during Work Experience week or other denoted times throughout the year. 

8. Electives that run for a single semester are not able to be repeated.

Please click the links for more information.